Leveling control for implements



Dec. 19, 1944.

2 Sheei-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1941 ,/'IINVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS ,1944. E. v. BRBCQE [i 2,365 387 LEVELING CONTROL FOR IMPLEMENTS Fild July 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Ulifiscae ATTORNEYS pose for which it is designed.

Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates in general to an improved leveling control for vehicle or implement frames, and in particular the invention is directed to a leveling control for the frame of an earth working implement such as is shown in my United State Letters Patent No. 2,136,911 on Ditch diger and cleaner, dated November 15, 1938. The implement shown in this patent included a leveling control which comprises a single power cylinder set transversely of the implement frame and pivotally connected diagonally between said frame and the wheel axle whereby such cylinder was operative to forcibly cant the axle relative to the frame and maintain the latter transversely horizontal. However, this arrangement was not entirely satisfactory, as its range of adjustment was limited and it did not provide sufiicient stability between the frame and wheel assembly in a given position of adjustment.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide an improved leveling control for an implement frame, such control having a substantial operative range; being operative to maintain adequate stability between the frame and wheel assembly in any position of adjustment; and having a considerably faster action than the assembly previously employed for the purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a leveling control which is operative to effect positive relative swinging movement of the wheel axle in a vertical transverse plane without possibility of the axle having horizontal swinging movement and probably consequent binding of the control apparatus.

A further object of the invention i to provide a levelin control which embodies a novel connection or assembly between th wheel axle, frame, and power means, such assembly including a vertically disposed rotary mount.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly efiective for the pur- These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the structure, half in section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on line 22 of Fi 1.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral I indicates transversely spaced side beams of the frame of an implement, said frame being disposed above the ground and adapted for movement therealong; the frame being supported, preferably adjacent one end, by means of a pair of wheels 2 having an axle A connected with the fram in the following manner:

Parallel, longitudinally spaced cross beams 3 are fixed between side beams I, and centrally of their ends support a horizontal longitudinally extending king pin 4. A vertically disposed rotary mount is formed about pin 4 as an axis and comprises spaced plates 5 of substantially circular form having lateral extensions 6 and I at the top and bottom respectively; the outer edges of said extensions being straight and parallel, and said extensions being of a length transversely of the implement at least equal to the diameter of plates 5. These plates, except for the extensions, are connected together as a unit by a spacer band 8 and a central hub 9 which is rotatably supported by pin 4.

The plates 5 are so spaced that they engage the inner or adjacent faces of cross beams 3, which are flat, with an easy fit; and to increase the bearing surface or area of engagement of plates 5, symmetrical plate sections III are welded on cross beams 3 top and bottom in flush relation to the engaged or inner faces of said cross beams.

The axle A, except for the wheel spindles at the ends, is rectangular in cross section and engages between the bottom extensions 1 of plates 5, and is rigidly secured thereto in parallel relation to their lower edges. Thus, when the axle is horizontal so is the upper edge of the top extensions 6.

The axle A adjacent its outer ends is maintained in vertically guided relation, and against possible'horizontal shifting by means of pairs of spaced guide rails H which depend vertically from both side beams I and between which rails the axle engages with a running fit; said rails being braced as in the manner shown.

The top extensions 6 are each fitted with a horizontal cross arm l2 which projects at its ends beyond said extensions. Hydraulic cylinders l3 are disposed in upstanding transversely spaced relation above the rotary mount assembly and.

with the piston rods I4 projecting downwardly: the lower ends of said rods being pivoted, as at l5, between the projecting ends of cross arms l2. A pair of inverted U-shaped frames l6, longitudinally spaced and connected together at the top, are fixed on the implement frame; the hydraulic cylinders I3 bein disposed between said frames l6 and suspended from the top thereof by eyes I! pivotally mounted between attachment ears l8. Thehydraulic cylinders are mounted soas to converge slightly from their lower end upward' whereby to provide positive opposed action on opposite ends of the arms.

The cylinders l3 are double acting and are connected in parallel but opposed relation with a valve controlled source of fluid pressure, here represented by supply pipes 19, by means 01' a piping arrangement indicated generally at 20 and which includes flexible hose sections 2| to permit swinging action of the cylinders. The source of fluid pressure may be on the implement or on the tractor; being connected and regulated by means which is conventional in hydraulic controlled mechanisms.

In operation, fluid is fed into one end of one cylinder and simultaneously into the other end of the other cylinder, which results in positive movement of piston rods l4 in opposite directions, tilting of the cross arms I: and turning of the rotary mount about king pin 4 so as to cant the axle in a vertical transverse plane, in the direction and to the extent necessary to maintain the implement frame horizontal.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A leveling control for a wheel supported implement frame having an axle extending transversely therebelow, said control comprising a vertically disposed rotary mount comprising longitudinally spaced plates mounted in rigid assembly, the frame having spaced cross beams, said assembly engaging therebetween in movable relation.

a king pin connecting between said cross beams and on which said assembly is turnably mounted, means mounting the axle in rigid connection with said assembly below said cross beams, and power means connected with said assembly to turn the latter on said pin.

2. A structure as in claim 1 in which a central portion of the axle is rectangular in cross section and snugly extends between said plates adjacent the lower edge of the latter.

3. A structure as in claim 1 in which the plates include lateral extensions adjacent the bottom thereof; the axle extending between and engaging said plates and extensions, the portion of the axle so engaged being rectangular.

4. A leveling control for a wheel supported implement frame having an axle extending transversely therebelow, said control comprising a vertically disposed rotary mount comprising longitudinally spaced plates mounted in rigid assem bly. the frame having spaced cross beams, said assembly engaging therebetween in movable relation, a king pin connecting between said cross beams and on which said assembly is turnably mounted, means mounting the axle in rigid connection with said assembly below said cross beams, lateral extensions on the plates adjacent the top thereof, and transversely spaced hydraulic cylinders mounted in upstanding relation above said extensions and operatively connected thereto.

5. A leveling control for a wheel supported implement frame having an axle extending transversely therebelow, said control comprising a vertically disposed rotary mount comprising longitudinally spaced plates mounted in rigid assembly, the frame having spaced cross beams, said assembly engaging therebetween in movable relation, a king pin connecting between said cross beams and on which said assembly is turnably mounted, means mounting the axle in rigid connection with said assembly below said cross beams, lateral extensions on the plates adjacent the top thereof, a frame portion disposed some distance above said extensions, transversely spaced hydraulic cylinders suspended from said frame portion and operatively connected at their lower ends with said extensions.

6. A structure as in claim 1 in which said plates are substantially circular in configuration and project both above and below said cross beams, the latter being fitted with rigid, symmetrical plate sections which engage the projecting portions of said plates.

'7. A leveling control for a wheel supported implement frame having a wheel axle extending transversely therebelow, said control comprising a member fixed on and projecting upward from the axle, means pivoting said member on the frame for swinging movement in a vertical transverse plane, power means arranged to swing said member and the axle, and means cooperating with the axle on opposite sides of said member to guide the axle vertically and prevent horizontal movement thereof; the implement frame including side beams, and said last named means comprising a pair of guide rails depending from each side beam in spaced relation longitudinally of the implement, the adjacent portion of the axle engaging between said rails in guided relation.

8. A leveling control for a wheel supported frame having an axle extending transversely therebelow, which control includes a pair of spaced cross beams extending transversely of the frame, a king pin supported in said cross beams and extending therebetween longitudinally of the frame, a plate disposed between the beams and pivoted on the king pin, said axle being rigidly connected with said plate, and power means connected with the plate and operative to swing the latter about its axis on the king pin.

9. A leveling control for a wheel supported frame having an axle extending transversely therebelow, which control includes a pair of spaced cross beams extending transversely of the frame, a king pin supported in said cross beams and extending therebetween longitudinally of the frame, a plate disposed between the cross beams and pivoted on said king pin, said plate being of substantially greater diameter than said pin and engaging one of said cross beams in stabilizing relation, the axle being rigidly connected with .said plate, and power means connected with said plate and operative to swing the latter about its axis on the king pin.

ERNEST V. BRISCOE. 

